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In 1960, a brief but noteworthy meeting took place at city hall between President Charles de Gaulle, Mayor Wilfrid Hamel and Premier Antonio Barrette. At several points, de Gaulle mentioned France’s achievements and emphasized the important role Samuel de Champlain played in New France.
1960 - 1967

Charles de Gaulle’s visit to Québec City

French president Charles de Gaulle visited Québec City three times. In July 1944, he came as head of the Provisional Government of the French Republic, just one month after the Normandy landings. In April 1960, de Gaulle was welcomed to the city by Premier Antonio Barrette at a time when the province was Catholic and conservative. De Gaulle returned to Québec City in 1967, at the height of the Quiet Revolution, to tour the province by car. His trip ended in Montréal where he pronounced his famous “Vive le Québec Libre!” (long live a free Quebec). Three visits, three different eras!

Charles de Gaulle at city hall in Québec City

Auteur inconnu In 1960, a brief but noteworthy meeting took place at city hall between President Charles de Gaulle, Mayor Wilfrid Hamel and Premier Antonio Barrette. At several points, de Gaulle mentioned France’s achievements and emphasized the important role Samuel de Champlain played in New France.
Chronoscope In the comments, can you tell us how long the general stayed in Québec City during this trip? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Ville de Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Québec Provincial Publicity Bureau - Jean Pelletier Fonds - Date: 1960-04-20